Child sexual abuse within the Roman Catholic Church in Spain: A descriptive study of abuse characteristics, victims' faith, and spirituality

Abstract

Objective: The goal of this study was to examine a sample of 38 adult victims of child sexual abuse (CSA) by representatives of the Spanish Catholic Church. Method: An ad-hoc battery of questions divided into five sections was created: (a) Participant's general personal information, faith, religion and belief system; (b) sexual victimization by the Church; (c) sexual victimization committed by other persons; (d) other forms of caregiver victimization; (e) perception of the impact of the abuse on faith and spirituality. Results: Most of the victims are pubescent males, who experience contact sexual abuse, including high levels of penetration, by a priest or pastor. Victims tended to disclose their abuse, in adulthood, to someone close to them. Official reports were generally addressed to the Catholic Church rather than to police officers or the legal system. More than half of those who reported abuse stated that it had had a negative impact on their well-being. Victims also reported an acute reduction in their faith in God and the Church and other experiences of sexual and caregiver victimization. Conclusions: The results obtained in this first study to focus on the phenomenon of CSA by the Catholic Church in Spain are relevant enough to continue working on this area and to tailor specific intervention and prevention programs for these victims that address their spiritual damage.